Mr. Chairman,

        I have the honour to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China on agenda item 132, in particular with regard to the overview of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations, cross-cutting issues.

2. We would like to thank the Controller, Mr. Jun Yamazaki, and the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Ms. Susana Malcorra, for introducing the various reports of the Secretary-General under this agenda item.  We would also like to thank the Chairman of the ACABQ, Ms. Susan Mclurg, for introducing the related reports of the Advisory Committee.  We further wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services, Mrs. Inga-Britt Ahlenius.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the consideration of policy matters that are cross-cutting in nature and related to the administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations. While we recognise that each peacekeeping operation has its own mandate, faces its own challenges, and functions in a unique environment, we believe that the cross-cutting resolutions can serve as an important policy tool providing comprehensive guidance to the DPKO and the DFS on issues that are common to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. The Group would like to stress, however, that decisions on resources and staffing of individual operations have to be taken in the relevant individual budget resolutions.  We are concerned that some of the recommendations of the ACABQ would result in budget cuts to all missions, disregarding the specificities and particular needs of each mission. As decided by the General Assembly, the "cross-cutting" is not an exercise to "cut costs", and it should be solely focused on policy issues.

4. The Group of G77 and China notes the comments and observations made by the Secretary-General on his report on the overview of the financial and administrative aspects of the financing of peacekeeping operations. Although it could be further improved, this annual report provides Member States with valuable information on the performance of peacekeeping budgets, as well as with an oversight tool to take stock of the implementation of the requests contained in resolution 61/276, and previous cross-cutting resolutions. On the other hand, we are not convinced that the General Assembly needs to provide overall policy direction and guideless to peacekeeping operations on an annual basis, since it does not provide enough time to assess implementation.  

Mr. Chairman,

5. The Group of 77 and China remains concerned with that the late submission of reports, which seriously undermines the work and the quality of the deliberations of the Fifth Committee. In this regard, the Group concurs with the Advisory Committee that the Secretariat must better plan the preparation of the peacekeeping budgets so that enough time is scheduled for a proper review by the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee. We would like to reiterate that the Secretary General is accountable to the Member States for ensuring the timely submission of quality reports.

6. The Group of 77 and China recalls that the second resumed session should be primarily focused on peacekeeping related issues, in accordance with the terms of resolution 49/233 A. The Group acknowledges, however, that one of the problems with the current peacekeeping budget process is that it is not fit to deal with the recent increase in size and complexity of the UN missions. The peacekeeping operations, and, as a consequence, their budgets, have changed considerably since resolution 49/233 was approved. It seems naïve to believe that the Fifth Committee and the ACABQ would be able to maintain the quality of their work using the same timeframe, but having considerably more information to process and analyze. Therefore, the Group believes that both bodies should be provided with extended schedules, on a permanent basis, in order to cope with the increased demand.

Mr. Chairman,    

7. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its concern regarding the high vacancy rates in all peacekeeping missions which may seriously constrain the ability of the operations to implement their respective mandates. The Group would like to emphasize the need for addressing the root causes of the high vacancy rates. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of resolution 63/250 to harmonize conditions of service on the ground, as well as to streamline contractual arrangements. We hope that these reform measures will have an impact to reverse high vacancy rates and to help the Organization to retain valuable and experienced personnel in positions where they are needed. It is imperative that the Secretary-General implement the provisions of resolution 63/250 as a matter of urgency. At the same time the Group would request to make further improvements in the human resources regime and ensure strict accountability with regard to implementation of the provisions of the relevant GA resolutions.

8. The Group of 77 and China would also like to stress that the recruitment efforts should pay due regard to the equitable geographic distribution and gender balance, especially the recruitment of female candidates from the developing countries. The Group notes with serious concern the information provided by the Advisory Committee, that, out of a total of 252,446 applications for positions in peace operations received in one year, approximately 50% were not reviewed, as resources were reportedly not available. The Group wishes to look at the matter during informal consultations. We further emphasize the importance of hiring the national staff as a means to overcome this continuous problem in all peacekeeping missions across the board.
 
9. The Group wishes to reiterate it longstanding position in support of the quick impact projects, which make an important contribution towards the success of the peacekeeping missions. These projects are of fundamental importance, as they allow the local population to reap the dividends of the peace process since its early stages. Every effort should be made to ensure their full implementation without artificial deadlines. The extension and the amount of resources available to these projects should be closely linked to the situation on the ground and the specificities of each and every mission.

10. With regards to the result based budgeting, the Group would like to emphasize that it is imperative to ensure the adoption of  coherent and consistent mandates and provision of related resources for their actual implementation. The benchmarking of specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound mandates and objectives guarantee an effective implementation of the mandates as well as the resources.  The Group also likes to further add that the Secretary General should initiate appropriate measures to ensure the gradual implementation of the result-based management that would bring about improvement in implementation of pragmatic aspects of the budgets as well as the accountability of the programme managers, including senior management.

11. The Group of 77 and China would like to state its unreserved support for the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent acts of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Group stresses the importance of the training, awareness generation as well as appropriate measures in the context of development and quick impact projects as measures that can help in the prevention of such abuse. The Group regrets, however, that the troop- and police-contributing countries were not represented in the Working Group on Victim Assistance.

12. The Group of G77 and China notes with appreciation that the Entebbe base, which currently serves as logistics hub supporting many peacekeeping missions and special envoys, has assumed an important role in assisting missions in the region. We also welcome intention of the DFS to undertake a number of initiatives to extend the use of the Entebbe facility. The Group believes that there is scope for the role of Entebbe to be further enhanced, including on areas such as training and inspection of equipments, along with the possibility of using it as a full logistics base for the Organisation.

13. The Group of 77 and China would like to stress the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in the areas of peace and development. The multiple entities tasked with supporting the cooperation and coordination with the African Union reveal a relationship that has enormous potential for mutual benefit. The Group has some questions regarding the recommendation of the ACABQ to rationalize the current support structure to the African Union, as this may have a negative impact in the relationship of the two Organizations.

14. The Group of 77 and China wishes to reiterate the need for improving procurement opportunities for vendors from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolutions 62/269 and 61/279. The Group regrets that the report of the Secretary-General does not fulfill the request made in resolution 61/279 to identify obstacles preventing the participation of developing countries and countries with economies in transition in United Nations procurement contracts. We also stress the importance of increasing local procurement, which could stimulate the economic recovery of the countries where the UN is operating, as well as provide considerable savings for the Organization. The Group also regrets that the comprehensive report procurement governance has not been submitted yet, despite previous comments by the Secretariat on the importance to modify the current procurement governance and to increase the role of DFS.

15. Finally, the Group of 77 and China gives utmost importance to the consideration of the report on the comprehensive review of death and disability benefits (A/63/550). It is our moral duty to improve the arrangements for the payment of death and disabilities claims to the families of the people that made the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill the goals and aspirations of this Organization.

Mr. Chairman,

16. It is also important to be clear about what issues should be dealt with in the context of the cross-cutting resolution. The intent of this resolution is the consideration of policy matters that are cross-cutting in nature.  Other issues need to be examined separately.

17. The Group of 77 and China would also like to assure you of our constructive engagement on other issues in the related discussions.

        I thank you, Mr. Chairman.